WASHINGTON — After 729 days, the DMV's snow drought has ended. The first major snowfall of the winter rolled into the D.C. Metro region early Monday morning and continued into Tuesday, causing messy commutes both days and forcing widespread closures.
By Tuesday at 6 a.m., most of the steady snow has come to an end. The biggest recorded snowfall reported so far was in Arcola, Virginia measuring just under 6.5 inches. Much of the rest of the region recorded between 2.5 and 5 inches of snow, including 3.8 inches at Reagan National Airport.
Periods of light snow mixed with freezing drizzle will continue in the DMV through Tuesday morning. Any additional snow accumulations should be less than an inch.
Arctic air remains over the DMV through the weekend, with a Cold Weather Emergency still in effect in accordance with D.C.'s Winter Plan. As temperatures fall, remember to check on your neighbors and know the signs of hypothermia.
The Washington DC Snowball Fight Association is planning to host a snowball fight on the Mall at 8:30 a.m., calling it the "Battle of Snowpenheimer."
Closings/Delays
Districts across DC, Maryland and Virginia have announced school closures for Tuesday, January 16, including DC Public Schools, Prince George's and Montgomery County Public Schools and Arlington, Loudoun and Fairfax County Public Schools.
The federal government also issued a closure alert, encouraging telework as needed. The DC Government, however, is opening on time Tuesday with Mayor Muriel Bowser saying supervisors are encouraged to allow for "liberal leave" due to the weather.
Numerous court systems across the region are also closed, or opening on a delayed schedule.
Click here for a complete list of closures across the DMV.
Stafford County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor even announced Tuesday's snow day in a rap video.
Traffic Alerts
Slick roads and icy conditions led to several crashes and closures around the DMV Monday and Tuesday. By 6 a.m. Tuesday, most of the major roadways could be described as wet and sloppy, with snowbanks pushed up against the medians. Click here to check out the WUSA9 interactives traffic maps for the latest up-to-date information.
8:19 a.m.: Crash with Injury. I-95 SB before US-1 (Exit 161). Fairfax County, VA. Two right travel lanes are blocked. Two left lanes open. Delays are around one mile.
6:13 a.m. Crash with Injury. I-270 SB at MD-80 (Exit 26). Frederick County, MD. 1 right travel lane is blocked. 1 left lane open. Delays are building.
6:02 a.m.: Whites Ferry Rd. is closed in both directions at Partnership Rd. as a result of downed wires. Drivers are advised to seek an alternate route. Expect significant delays.
5:55 a.m.: Orange/Silver Line Alert: No longer single tracking. Residual delays continue in both directions due to an earlier signal problem outside Rosslyn.
5:43 a.m.: Orange/Silver/Blue Line Alert: Trains are single tracking btwn Clarendon/Arlington Cemetery and Foggy Bottom due to a signal problem outside Rosslyn. Expect delays in both directions.
5:16 a.m.: I-95 SOUTHBOUND UPDATE: All southbound lanes have reopened at mile marker 146 in Stafford south of exit 148 (Quantico). The earlier crash scene has been cleared.
4:20 a.m.: Crash reported on I-70 eastbound near US-15/US-340 (#52), right side blocked by the crash.
2:12 a.m.: I-95 SOUTHBOUND: Two lanes closed at mile marker 146, south of exit 148 (Quantico) in Stafford, for a vehicle crash. Single southbound lane remains open.
Some delays were reported at Reagan National and Dulles International Airports due to severe weather.
At least 293 flight cancellations have been reported at Reagan National and another 50 at Dulles, as of 10:45 a.m. The cancellations were all in the last 24 hours.
If you cannot stay home, AAA suggests drivers always check weather conditions before heading out. Drivers should always travel with a full tank of gas, a fully charged cellphone and wear a seatbelt.
Track snow plow activity in your area to see how treated your neighborhood roads are:
If traffic signals are not working because a power outage, you must stop at the intersection and then proceed when you know other turning and approaching cars, bikes or pedestrians have stopped. Treat a blacked-out traffic signal as a four-way stop intersection.
While driving on black ice, people should proceed slowly and smoothly. AAA says to avoid any sudden acceleration, braking and steering. If you have antilock brakes, use steady pressure - don't pump.
If you get stuck in snow or ice, AAA suggests straightening the wheel and accelerating slowly. Try adding sand, traction mats or cat litter under the drive wheels to avoid spinning tires.
AAA recommends that all drivers make sure they have an emergency kit ready for any winter weather. Items to have in your car include:
- Snow shovel
- Scraper or de-icer
- Extra blankets
- Warm clothing
- Water
- Snacks
- Extra medications.
And: Always travel with a full tank of gas.
Power Outages
As of Tuesday at 6 a.m. power crews with Dominion Energy and Pepco have not reported any widespread power outages in D.C., Maryland and Virginia as a result of the weather. Fewer than 30 customers were impacted by outages Tuesday morning.
A power outage can be caused by a myriad of things but it is important to be as prepared as you possibly can, especially during severe weather. Extended power outages can impact everyone from a home to an entire community. It can cause issues with communication, prevent the use of medical devices, impact access to water and cause food to spoil while grocery stores may be closed.
Dominion Energy says residents should not connect any portable generators to a home's electrical system. Under no circumstances should you ever bring a generator into your home in order to create heat. Odorless and colorless carbon monoxide gas from gas-fueled heaters and generators can build up, resulting in injuries or even death.
Damages
It is important to know how to prepare and stay safe during severe weather. There are several ways you can make sure you are ready.
- High winds and snow regularly down trees and heavy branches in the DMV region, so avoid standing or walking under tree canopies.
- Be supplied: Have medical equipment, medical supplies or any critical medications on hand and enough for 5-7 days.
- Figure out how and where everyone will meet up with each other if you get separated.
- Sign up for text alerts/weather warnings that may be offered by your locality.
- Secure garbage cans, lawn furniture or anything that could cause damage.
